Cypriot party youth organisations discuss Cyprus issue

A delegation from AKEL youth branch EDON and the President of the Turkish Cypriot youth United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan met today and discussed the latest developments in Cyprus.

Speaking after the meeting, Christos Christofides, EDON Secretary General, said there is a common belief that there is still a long way to go in the direct negotiation process between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in order to reach a solution.

However, he stressed that “there is no other way which leads to the reunification of the country and the people of Cyprus”, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Christofides pointed out that the solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation must be based on a single sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality. “It should also respect the international and European law, human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all the citizens of Cyprus”, he added.

Christofides noted that any attempt to violate those principles will lead the current effort for solution to a dead end.

Replying to a question on the Turkish actor Attila Olgac’s confession that he killed in cold blood ten Greek Cypriots during the Turkish invasion in 1974, Christofides welcomed a government decision to take political and legal measures.

As regards Olgac’s confession, Korkmazhan said that “it proves that in 1974, crimes against Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots took place in Cyprus”. He also pointed out that the United Cyprus Party has protested Olgac’s confession.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, held their 17th meeting last week, in the framework of the UN-led direct negotiations, which began last September with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem. The talks aim at reunifying the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.